Daniel F.E. Smith

Dan Smith focuses his law practice on matters involving environmental, commercial, education, and state constitutional law. A former educator and environmental scientist, Dan represents businesses, boards of education, and individuals in state, federal, administrative, and appellate courts.

Dan uses his scientific training and background to help clients solve complex problems related to environmental laws, frequently working as part of a larger Brooks Pierce team. Dan has represented and advised a variety of industries to help them obtain necessary permits and comply with environmental regulations. He has advised clients on matters involving CERCLA, RCRA, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, asbestos, combustible dust, underground and aboveground storage tanks, private nuisance claims, and groundwater and soil contamination.

Dan is a frequent member of teams that handle large, complex business litigation. Dan also represents small companies and startups and helps them navigate the issues and challenges that can arise in the normal course of doing business.

A former science teacher, Dan represents boards of education, administrators, and teachers in a wide variety of litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative tribunals. He has advised and represented clients on a broad range of issues including special needs education and disabilities, bullying, personal injuries on school property, disputes with former employees, environmental health, and education-related provisions of the North Carolina Constitution and United States Constitution. Representative matters include:

Obtaining trial court dismissal of employment-related claims brought by a former teacher against a board of education and its superintendent and persuading the North Carolina Court of Appeals to dismiss an attempted appeal from the trial court’s judgment.

Persuading a federal district court to dismiss IDEA and attempted tort claims asserted by a student and his parents against a board of education and special education teacher.

A former North Carolina Supreme Court law clerk, Dan brings a unique insight to his clients. He advises within the firm on the handling of appeals and petitions and is often consulted on the finer points of appellate procedure. Dan has represented clients in the Supreme Court of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals in matters arising from business disputes, school employment, and state and federal constitutional questions.

Recent Publications & Media

Attorney Dan Smith was recently interviewed for a video detailing the services Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) provides to clients looking for criminal record expunctions. The video features Vilma Suarez, managing attorney at LANC, impersonating...(read more)

Leading North Carolina law firm Brooks Pierce is delighted to announce that Daniel Adams, David Green and Dan Smith have been named partners in the firm. “These three highly accomplished attorneys have proven their dedication to serving our clients...(read more)

Speaking Engagements

Brooks Pierce attorney Dan Smith will speak at “Breaking Chains: Women, Employment and Reentry” on May 20. The event, presented by the Greensboro Commission on the Status of Women, will focus on the challenges women who have been incarcerated face when looking for a job. Smith’s presentation will...Read more

Recognitions

Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2018 edition of North Carolina...(read more)

Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2017 edition of North Carolina...(read more)

Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2016 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)

Recent Publications & Media

Attorney Dan Smith was recently interviewed for a video detailing the services Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) provides to clients looking for criminal record expunctions. The video features Vilma Suarez, managing attorney at LANC, impersonating...(read more)

Leading North Carolina law firm Brooks Pierce is delighted to announce that Daniel Adams, David Green and Dan Smith have been named partners in the firm. “These three highly accomplished attorneys have proven their dedication to serving our clients...(read more)

Brooks Pierce attorney Daniel F.E. Smith has been named to the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD). The NCCDD is made up of 40 members who either have intellectual or developmental disabilities, are family members of someone...(read more)

North Carolina Business Court Judge Louis Bledsoe III has held that the named plaintiff must pay any defendant's costs incurred after the plaintiff rejected the defendant’s offer of judgment. This decision brings to an end more than three years of...(read more)

Peoples Bank, headquartered in Newton, North Carolina, recently won the dismissal of a class action lawsuit filed against it in March 2013. Brooks Pierce attorneys Reid Phillips and Dan Smith represented the bank in the litigation. The class action...(read more)

The 2013 session of the North Carolina General Assembly came to a close on July 26, 2013, and a number of legislative actions this year impacted environmental regulation in North Carolina. Governor McCrory has now signed into law all of the Bills...(read more)